In the Netherlands, around two million people live with a disability, including more than 300,000 with a visual impairment. This number is expected to rise as the population ages. People with a visual or other impairment cannot always use websites effectively. Imagine a visitor with low vision who wants to buy a product online. If the seller’s website can only be navigated with a mouse, he cannot get past the homepage. He prefers to use keyboard shortcuts because they require less visual effort, but this only works if the website supports it.
When websites are not fully accessible, visitors are limited in how they can use them, and businesses risk losing potential customers and revenue.
European Accessibility Act
To make online products and services accessible to all Europeans, the European Accessibility Act (EAA or Accessibility Directive) was introduced. The EAA focuses on digital accessibility and sets rules that apply to all member states of the European Union. The purpose of the directive is to harmonise digital accessibility legislation across the EU.
What is covered by the directive?
The European Accessibility Act applies to various digital products and services:
– Computers and operating software
– Smartphones
– TV equipment related to digital television services
– E books
– Webshops
– Audiovisual media services such as Netflix, Videoland and Spotify
– Telecommunications services, including your provider’s apps and websites
– ATMs, ticket services and check in machines
– Consumer banking services such as online banking
– Online and offline services related to transport, such as ticket machines, apps and websites
No distinction is made between products produced inside or outside the EU. All products sold in the EU must comply with the requirements. Small businesses with fewer than ten employees and an annual turnover or annual balance sheet total of no more than two million euros are partially exempt from these obligations.
Obligations
The accessibility requirements in the EAA are quite extensive. “Specific accessibility requirements apply to all products and services covered by the legislation, provided that these requirements do not alter their fundamental nature or impose a disproportionate burden on operators.”
Products must be designed and manufactured in a way that promotes use by people with disabilities as much as possible. They must also meet detailed requirements regarding information and instructions, the design of the user interface and functionality, support services and packaging.
The EAA is based on the requirements set out in the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). These guidelines define the accessibility standards for web content. Website visitors must be able to perceive all information and components on a website.
These accessibility requirements for web content (WCAG 2.1) are built on four principles:
Users must be able to identify the content and navigation elements. For most users this happens visually on a computer or phone screen. For others, written content is read aloud through a screen reader or converted into braille.
All users must be able to use the interactive elements of a website or app. These elements should not only be operable with a mouse but must also work with a keyboard or voice command.
Websites that are understandable do not create barriers for users. In other words, websites and apps must have a clear and logical structure.
This term refers to the universal and lasting accessibility of websites and apps. These digital products must be usable with all software and hardware, ensuring that no one is excluded.
These four principles are further divided into guidelines and success criteria. The WCAG can be used as a checklist to assess whether a website or app meets digital accessibility standards. Interestingly, the WCAG itself is not very accessible. The guidelines can be difficult to understand, especially for someone with limited digital skills.
Starting in 2025
The EAA was adopted by the European Union in 2019. The directive had to be transposed into national legislation by 28 June 2022, but many countries, including the Netherlands, did not meet this deadline. From 28 June 2025, EU member states must enforce the measures. Countries may grant service providers that were already lawfully using their systems before 28 June 2025 an additional five year transition period, until 28 June 2030. For government websites, the obligation to be digitally accessible has already applied since September 2020.
Retroactive effect?
The legislation does not have retroactive effect in principle. The EAA states that products published from June 2025 onwards must meet the accessibility requirements. For webshops, this means that not all existing shops must comply, only those launched from 2025 onward. However, what is the difference between a completely new webshop and an update to an existing one? It is highly likely that any website updated from June 2025 will also fall under the new rules.
Enforcement and penalties
Monitoring of compliance with the EAA is handled by the individual member states. The Dutch government is therefore responsible for overseeing digital accessibility within the business sector in the Netherlands. Companies that do not comply with the EAA may be fined by the Dutch government starting June 2025. The exact nature and size of these fines have not yet been determined.
What now?
Although the June 2025 deadline may seem far away, it is wise to be proactive and assess your website’s accessibility well in advance. A good starting point is to put yourself in the position of someone with a visual or other impairment. What obstacles might they encounter when using the website, service or product? From there, you can explore solutions. For users with low vision, written text can be offered in spoken form. Videos should include subtitles. Users with motor impairments, including many older adults, often find navigating a website with a mouse difficult. They prefer to use their keyboard instead.
In general, do not offer information in only one format. Avoid relying solely on text or images and provide multiple ways to access the same content. Ensure that your website can be operated in different ways as well. Make the information as clear as possible, both visually (contrast, font type and size, etc.) and in terms of structure and layout. These improvements benefit all users, not only those with disabilities.
Want to be sure your website meets the EAA guidelines in 2025? Start optimising your website for digital accessibility today. This helps you avoid penalties, reach a wider audience and ensure that everyone, including people with disabilities, can use your website without barriers. Get advice from our experts and make your website future proof.
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